考博英语阅读理解习题.docVIP

考博英语阅读理解习题　　Most of us are taught to pay attention to what is said—the words. Words do provide us with some information， but meanings are derived from so many other sources that it would hinder our effectiveness as a partner to a relationship to rely too heavily on words alone. Words are used to describe only a small part of the many ideas we associate with any given message. Sometimes we can gain insight into some of those associations if we listen for more than words. We dont always say what we mean or mean what we say. Sometimes our words dont mean anything except ?Im letting off some steam. I dont really want you to pay close attention to what Im saying. Just pay attention to what Im feeling.?Mostly we mean several things at once. A person wanting to purchase a house says to the current owner， “This step has to be fixed before Ill buy.” The owner says， “ Its been like that for years.” Actually， the step hasnt been like that for years， but the unspoken message is： “ I dont want to fix it. We put up with it. Why cant you？” The search for a more expansive view of meaning can be developed of examining a message in terms of who said it， when it occurred， the related conditions or situation， and how it was said.　　When a message occurs can also reveal associated meaning. Let us assume two couples do exactly the same amount of kissing and arguing. But one couple always kisses after an argument and the other couple always argues after a kiss. The ordering of the behaviors may mean a great deal more than the frequency of the behavior. A friends unusually docile behavior may only be understood by noting that it was preceded by situations that required an abnormal amount of assertiveness. Some responses may be directly linked to a developing pattern of responses and defy logic. For example， a person who says “No！” to a serials of charges like “Youre dumb，” “Youre lazy，” and “Youre dishonest，” may also say “No！” and try to justify his or her response if the next statemen